Prepare to Expect the Unexpected on African Bowhunts
John E. Phillips 10.23.12
Editor’s note: Avid bowhunter George Flournoy has made six safaris to Africa lasting more than 30 days and several other safaris with other hunters, videotaping their hunts. He helps hunters find the types of hunts they’re looking for on the Dark Continent. He advises them on what to take and what to leave at home, tells them what to expect and helps bowhunters pick the hunts that fit their pocketbooks.
Each African outfitter will tell you everything you want to hear. That’s why I suggest that when you begin to consider going to Africa to hunt, you talk to hunters who have been there with their bows several different times. Let them tell you of their experiences. One of the things you have to keep in mind is that the governments in almost every country in Africa are very volatile. The hunting regulations in each country can change from year to year, month to month and often from day to day. For instance, you may be planning a safari to Africa, and just before you leave, your outfitter may lose his hunting concession from the government. Or, you may be on your way to Africa and discover that the hunting concession where you’ve planned to hunt only permits a certain number of Oryx or gemsbok antelope to be taken from that concession. The number of tags that they have permitted already may have been filled or perhaps there’s only one or two cape buffalo tags left. When you arrive at your final destination, all the tags may have been filled, and you may not be able to take one of the animals on your bucket list.
When you go to Africa, you have to be very flexible about what you want to hunt. Before you leave, put on your big boy pants and be willing to change if the situation changes. You have to expect that more than likely a few things will go wrong. If and when they do, you have to be flexible enough to not let the things that you can’t do anything about or change ruin your hunt. Instead, focus on what you can do.
One of the problems may be that when you arrive, there’s no government fuel available for your guide to take you where you need to go. There may be airline problems in the country that limit where you can hunt. You may have to spend two or three more travel days than you’ve planned, and those travel days may be taken off your hunt days. When you get off that plane, you have to ready to be flexible and have fun, regardless of any complications you encounter.
Africa is not like the United States–in most instances, you will think that you have stepped back in time 50 or 60 years. Deadlines and schedules may change. Also, understand there’s nothing you can do when plans don’t go exactly as you have them scheduled. Even though what’s happening isn’t your fault or the outfitter’s fault, things happen when you leave this country that usually don’t happen in this country. The payoff will be your ability to see hundreds and hundreds of animals and the enjoyment of a trip of a lifetime. Oftentimes, the unexpected is what creates the excitement for the bowhunter, and makes for a memorable African bowhunt.
Since 1971, Flournoy, who has shot PSE bows for 30 years, has been helping hunters find the type of African hunt and African game animals they want to take. For answers to any questions you may have about an African hunt, whether, you’re a first-timer or a veteran of many African bowhunts, Flournoy will be happy to help you. You can contact him at gflournoy@iglide.net or call him at 1-755-673-5513.
You’ll learn more-intensive hunting information and tips from nationally-known hunters in the new Kindle eBooks, “Bowhunting Deer: The Secrets of the PSE Pros” and “Jim Crumley’s Secrets for Bowhunting Deer” by John E. Phillips. Go to http://www.amazon.com/kindle-ebooks, type in the name of the book, and download it to your Kindle, and/or download a Kindle app for your iPad, SmartPhone or computer.
John, the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors.
Phillips has been a contributor to many national magazines, has been affiliated with 27 radio stations across Alabama serving as their outdoor editor and wrote for a weekly syndicated column, "Alabama Outdoors," for 38-Alabama newspapers for more than 13 years. Phillips was Outdoor Editor for the "Birmingham Post-Herald" for 24 years. Phillips was also the executive editor for "Great Days Outdoors" magazine for 3 years.
The author of almost 30 books on the outdoors, Phillips is a founding member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and an active member of the Southeastern Outdoors Press Association (SEOPA). Phillips also is the owner of Night Hawk Publications, a marketing and publishing firm, and president of Creative Concepts, an outdoor consulting group.
Phillips conducts seminars across the nation at colleges in freelance writing, photography and outdoor education besides teaching courses in how to sell what you write to writers' groups. Phillips received his photography training as a still-lab photo specialist for six years in the Air Force. He was the chief photographer for Mannequins, Inc., a Birmingham modeling agency, for 11 years.
While serving as 2nd Vice President of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Phillips was in charge of all press releases for the organization as well as serving as Chairman of Alabama's Big Buck Contest, which he founded more than 30 years ago. He also was president of the Alabama Sportsman's Association for three years.
Phillips is the recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the Governor of Alabama and the Department of Conservation for his work in the outdoor field. Phillips is vitally interested in the outdoors and travels the nation collecting personalities, stories and how-to information for his articles and features.
EDUCATION: B.S. degree from the University of West Alabama with a physical education major and a history minor.
EXPERIENCE: 10 years parttime and fulltime physical director for YMCAs and 34 years as a freelance writer, photographer, editor, book author, lecturer and daily-content provider for websites. Currently, Phillips is a field editor for Game and Fish Publications; serves on the editorial board of Grandview Media; is a regular contributor to 12 internet magazines and a daily content provider for 8 websites.
WRITING AWARDS: Runnerup - Best Outdoor Magazine Feature - 1981 - SEOPA; Certificate of Merit - Awarded by Alabama's Governor for writings on conservation; Most Outstanding Sports Writer in Southeast - 1983 & 1984; Best Outdoor Feature in Alabama, 1987 - Alabama Sportswriters' Association 3rd Place; Best Book of the Year - 1989 - SEOPA; 2007 - inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator; 2008 - received award naming him 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the Year from the Crossbow Manufacturers' Association; 2009 - GAMMA Honorable Mention for Consumer/Paid Best Essay for July/August 2008 in "Southern Sporting Journal."
